ABOUT THIS ALBUM

A guided meditation (CD/mp3) for daily relaxation and as a meditative preparation for dyingwith Maneesha James & Sudheer P. Niet

OSHO Bardo comes with a 28-page booklet which gives additional background and guidance. See link in the left sidebar to download the booklet.

● Suitable for meditators and those new to meditation● Use as a regular meditation for relaxed alertness and to know more awareness and joy in everyday life● Suitable for those who may not look to established religions for support when dying and for those with a religion● Use as preparation for your own dying and for supporting others through theirs, by becoming familiar with the process of consciously letting go.

The Need for OSHO Bardo

We may say we want a ‘good death’ but what exactly do we mean by that? Certainly to be physically and emotionally at ease, and perhaps to have a kind of framework, a form of guidance – something to ‘hold’ us through this literally life-changing experience. For some, that might be a religious ritual; others might prefer a secular approach or a spiritual element.‘Science Daily’ (March 2016) ran an article entitled Successful dying: Researchers define the elements of a ‘good death’. Three different groups were interviewed by researchers to define what makes a ‘good death’: patients, family members and healthcare providers. The top three themes across all stakeholder groups were preferences for a specific dying process, pain-free status and emotional wellbeing.

Enter OSHO Bardo CD – a mindful approach to dying that is both a daily meditation practice and ‘a specific dying process.’

Until now, perhaps the most well-known dying process has been the Tibetan Buddhist scripture, the Bardo Thödol. The contemporary Indian mystic Osho refers to it as Tibet’s most significant contribution to the world. Read by a lama to a dying person the scripture’s basic message is to relax, to stay present and watch what is happening… to understand that the leaving of one’s life is the ending of a dream. It then guides the dying person through what Tibetan Buddhism teaches are the various realms of consciousness up to the point of self-realisation or liberation or rebirth.

Times are different; humanity has changed. For many, formal religions are no longer central to their lives. For those unfamiliar with Buddhism the metaphors and images will not have the same meaning as they do for either contemporary Buddhists or did for those living over 2500-years ago, when the Bardo Thödol was created. Osho sees the need for a new form of Bardo, one created by his people. Thus, OSHO Bardo was created.

Being a meditative process it has a sense of spirituality. It provides simple guidance inwards that is free of any beliefs or detailed imagery. This means it can be used both by those without any religion and those who have an orthodox religious ritual. It is designed for the seasoned meditator and those new to meditation too. It is specifically designed to have relevance and value for people globally, in living as in dying.

Observing that living and dying are two aspects of existence, we can appreciate OSHO Bardo’s significance as a regular practice in our daily lives. That’s valuable in itself, opening doors to health on all levels. At the same time, meditating as part of everyday living is the very best preparation for dying. When we are actively dying it can be used at its most profound level. For more on meditation as a ‘rehearsal’ for dying see the article A Contemporary Bardo Thödol on our website.

The unique combination of especially composed music, a male and female voice, and particular text invites the listener to relax, certainly, but also to stay present and aware. In that space there is a sense of distance from everything that may be happening – physically, mentally or emotionally.

Another unique element of this process is the sense of lightness – entirely in accord with how the mystics regard dying. Through meditation we know ourselves beyond our personality, beyond the mind and the body. That’s what the Zen masters call our ‘original face,’ and in that essential reality we are vast, full of light and joy. If you’re a meditator you’ll also know the sense of there being no past or future; you are in the ‘eternal now’; problems seem peripheral and all longings, needs and desires give way to a sense of fulfilment.

Recalling our true nature is known as ‘right-mindfulness,’ ‘right-remembering’ or sammasati, and when we do recall it, our whole way of being changes, even as we go about our everyday life. That remembrance can change how we pass through dying too.

OSHO Bardo is suitable for meditators and those new to meditation. Free of any cultural or religious references means it has relevance globally. It features easily understandable suggestions that reflect Osho’s vision of life and death as one continuum, and the acceptance and joy of both aspects.

'If you welcome death, if it is such a celebration, then you need not become unconscious. If it is a benediction you will become perfectly conscious in that moment.'(Osho: No Water, No Moon)

The Benefits of OSHO Bardo

As a regular practice OSHO Bardo can provide:● A sense of freshness and rejuvenation● More relaxation in daily life; less stressed in work and relationships● An ability to be present to the moment, with a sense of openness, love and joy● A diminishing or even disappearance of fear● An experiential knowing of yourself as consciousness● The experience of the truth that everything in life comes and goes

Who is OSHO Bardo for?

OSHO Bardo can be used by anyone, of any or no religious or spiritual afﬁliation. It is for:● Anyone who would like to live and die consciously● Anyone who would like to be able to relax while remaining present and alert● Anyone who has a fear around living or dying● Those already familiar with meditation as well as those who would like to learn how to meditate● Carers of those who are ill or dying

What OSHO Bardo offers

OSHO Bardo is approximately 45-minutes long and is available here as a download or (while stocks last) as a CD from the oshosammasati.org website. The music has been specifically composed to fulfil a unique and unusual function: to keep you aware and at the same time deeply relaxed. The female and male voice provides gentle guidance to help the listener maintain a state of relaxed alertness.

Ideally, if this CD is to be played to support someone as they die, the person would have listened to it several times before so that they are familiar with the voices, music and words and associate it with the space of meditation, relaxation and trust.

OSHO Bardo comes with a 28-page booklet which gives additional background and guidance. See link in the left sidebar to download the booklet.

Guidance suggestions written and spoken by Maneesha James and Sudheer P. Niet.

IMPORTANTDo not listen to this process while driving or while engaged in any other activity.

Early Feedback

Here is some feedback about OSHO Bardo from Ushma – herself a meditation facilitator and creator of guided meditations.‘I went very easily and quickly into a deep place, finding myself present and, at the same time, calm and relaxed. Even though I was awake, a part of me was floating in a marvellous space, like being under water, where I no longer had a physical body but was pure energy. I was feeling so well in that space, so blissful and in peace, at home. Part of that was because I was accompanied by your two voices, very calm and reassuring – the perfect accompaniment for this journey.‘The music too is perfect throughout – exactly right for meditation.’ (Ushma; meditation facilitator, Italy)

‘The OSHO Bardo CD is fantastic and was worth waiting for. ‘The sound settings, the music, the male and female voices alternating – it is in perfect harmony (especially with the two beautiful people behind those voices).‘It gives a great insight into the process of conscious relaxation and how death is the culmination of that process.’ (Dr Hemen Jaju; Cranio-facial surgeon)

‘Loved it! Put me so much back in contact with Osho’s message…the fragrance and clarity of his words and, as you say, at the same time his wonderful pragmatism.”’ (Prem Alok)

‘The Osho Bardo meditation brings me deep relaxation. It reminds me to stay alert and not miss the opportunity… to be present to each moment as if it is the last.‘The Tibetan gongs in the background keep me awake. They help me to remember that life is a dream and to let go of my attachments. They help me to dissolve into spaciousness and to be able to watch it.‘During this process, it is as if awareness is speaking to awareness about awareness. What a blessing Osho Bardo is. I feel I do have a chance now to die consciously. Thank you Maneesha, Sudheer and Sambodhi Prem for this beautiful insight.’ (Nandita; UK)

‘Just been listening to Osho Bardo CD: so beautiful and so relaxing. I was just floating and didn’t want to open my eyes near the end. I fell into a lovely deep sleep afterwards. Now awake, I still have floaty feeling…..‘So many thanks to all involved, not forgetting beloved Osho.’ (Advaita, UK)

‘Genius simplicity!’ (Madhuri)

FAQs

Q. Is this meditation suitable for people of any or no religion?A. Yes. OSHO Bardo has been purposefully created to be free of any beliefs or detailed instruction and it can also sit comfortably with any orthodox religious ritual.

Q. Is it OK to listen to the CD even if I am not near the point of death?A. Yes. At the end of the process, there are suggestions for bringing your meditation to a close, such as taking some deep breaths, opening your eyes, and sitting up. Alternatively, if you want to continue your meditation on your own you can ignore these suggestions. At the end of the meditation there are three gongs.

Q. How regularly should I practise this meditation?A. You can use OSHO Bardo as a regular, even daily practice, so that you become more and more familiar with the space of sammasati, or right-mindfulness. The more often you hear the CD, the more familiar it will become. Eventually you may not need the CD to move into this meditation. With practice, it is possible to remain relaxed and aware in any circumstance – including that of actively dying.

Q. Can I use this CD to support someone else who is dying?A. Many who have supported and cared for dying people know how extraordinary that experience can be. Yet in the face of such a momentous event there may also be a feeling of impotency. OSHO Bardo can provide a way for both the person dying, and for anyone listening with them, to be more present and to feel a sense of being held in the space of peace and joy.

Q. Is this meditation suitable for everyone?A. Generally yes, however, please note the following:The method set out is not intended to replace the services of a physician, therapist, or psychiatrist, nor to provide an alternative to any needed professional medical treatment. We offer no medical diagnosis of, or treatment for, any speciﬁc medical or psychological issue you may have. OSHO Bardo is a meditation and relaxation method. It deals in part with personal preparation for a natural death which, according to Osho, is the ultimate relaxation and let-go experience. As such, some may experience fear or other emotional issues or memories. Anyone unprepared for or unwilling or unable to deal with such issues should refrain from participating in this program and/or may wish to consult their physician or appropriate health-care practitioner before participation or practice.

Do not listen to this process while driving or while engaged in any other activity.

If you have any additional queries about OSHO Bardo, please contact Maneesha via the Osho Sammasati website.